New BMW X1 M35i xDrive Is A 312 HP Hot-hatch Pretending To Be A Crossover SUV

New BMW X1 M35i xDrive is essentially a hot-hatch pretending to be a crossover SUV.

Meet the new BMW X1 M35i xDrive. The Bavarian brand’s famed M division has gone to town by injecting its performance magic into the an otherwise docile and practical family crossover SUV – or ‘SAV’, as BMW terms its crossover SUVs.

While not a full-fledge M-built car, the division’s treatment inside and out are extensive. With the latter, M has given this flavour of the X1 with a sportier and more aggressive stance thanks to a full-body aerokit, new front bumper with larger intakes, as well as quad-tailpipes and 19- or optional 20-inch wheels.

Full-blown aerokit plus a new bumper with larger intakes and quad-tailpipes, not forgetting customary M badging, sets this hotter X1 apart from its lesser siblings.

Of course, all this sporty and aggressive ‘show’ means diddly squat if it isn’t matched with the ‘go’ befitting it. You’ll be glad to know then that the X1 M35i xDrive packs BMW’s most potent 2.0-litre TwinPower 4-cyl turbo mill underneath its hood, which delivers 312 HP and 400 NM.

Said mill has been fettled by M and features a bevy of enhancements. It includes a stronger crankshaft, optimised piston oil supply system with cooling channels, and main bearing shells and caps borrowed from the latest-gen 6-cyl engine.

Both 20-inch wheels and M Compound brake system are cost-options, with this X1 standing as the first M Performance model to offer the latter hardware.

As the xDrive suffix suggests, drive goes to all four wheels via said signature BMW all-wheel-drive (AWD) suite and a 7-speed Steptronic dual-clutch (DCT) automatic box with a built-in limited-slip diff (LSD). Altogether, 0-100 KM/H takes just 5.4 seconds whilst V-max is electronically capped at 250 KM/H.

M also tweaked this X1’s chassis to handle all this performance. Fittingly, this is the M Performance model to feature an optional M Compound brake system, which consists of  a four-piston caliper plus 386 MM drilled rotors setup up front and single-piston calipers plus 330 MM rotors at the rear.

Powered by BMW's most potent 4-cyl mill around, the X1 M35i xDrive sees 0-100 KM/H despatched in just
5.4 seconds.

The X1 M35i xDrive also sees its chassis laced with the BMW adjustable M Suspension hardware as standard, as is the division’s sport steering tuning. In short, this sporty flavour of the X1 promises to be equally as agile as it is quick.

On board, the base  X1 cabin design remans, albeit witha sportier redux thanks to optional M sports seats, Alcantara-trimmed dash, and an anthracite-hued roof liner. As for tech, the X1 M35i xDrive is also the first model to harness the marque’s new iDrive 9 operating system for its curved display module.

On board, base X1 cabin design remians, but its curved display now runs on BMW's new iDrive 9 OS.

This X1's cabin is also made sportier thanks to rich use of Alcantara, aluminium, and leather trims. There's also a bevy of M badges with some that illuminate.

Beyond which, there’s plenty of Alcantara, aluminium, and leather lining the cabin, and just as many M badges abound including some that can illuminate. Also, instead of the optional M Sport seats mentioned, Sensatec/Alcantara sports seats come as standard, which can be optioned in “Veganza” leather-like finish.

Obviously, the new BMW X1 M35i xDrive is set to go toe-to-toe against rivals like the RM370,888 Mercedes-Benz GLA 35 AMG 4Matic. Said new sporty Bimmer SAV will roll out of BMW’s Regensburg plant in Bavaria, with deliveries set to commence in October this year.

Are you digging this sporty M-tuned flagship X1 crossover? Or do you find it just a tad bit over the top? Or would you still prefer the rivalling Mercedes-AMG crossover mentioned? As always, it the comments below with your thoughts…